In this episode, featuring the Rev. Benedict Varnum, shares his insights on church transitions, clergy placement, and the emotional dynamics involved. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the process, practical advice, and spiritual reflections for clergy and congregations navigating change.
About Our Guest
The Rev. Benedict Varnum (he/him) is the priest and rector at St. Augustine of Canterbury, in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Fr Ben grew up in the Catholic Church before being confirmed in The Episcopal Church in the eighth grade, and he spent time preparing to become a history or philosophy professor before feeling called to ordained ministry. Ben, his wife Megan, their daughter and two cats have a home in Omaha. Ben enjoys biking, fancy board games, reading, and keeping up with the latest comic book movies – he can probably tell you which of your favorite comic characters makes a better Christian!
Our Cohosts
Hayley Cobb
The Rev. Caroline Howard
The Rev. Karen Schlabach
Clare Stern-Burbano
The Rev. David Wilcox
Our Podcasts
We want to introduce the Episcopal Church from multiple perspectives and with different voices, utilizing social media to find out what questions students may have about who we are and what we do. Guest speakers, including college students from around our diocese, are already being scheduled for future sessions.
We do not currently have a physical presence on college campuses in our diocese, but we think podcasting offers a great opportunity to meet young adults where they are and share our faith in a way that is personal, comfortable, and always accessible. We hope that these sessions will be a bridge to connect college students with local parishes and with other young adults.
For more information and to suggest a topic or pose a question, please visit the College and Young Adult webpage. Look for All Things … Episcopal wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!
Deacon Alisa Carmichael currently serves as Chair of the College and Young Adult Commission in The Diocese of West Missouri. She assisted with an Episcopal campus ministry at the University of South Florida in Tampa prior to moving with her husband John to their current home in Kansas City. She is the organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lee’s Summit.
